LIVINGSTON-based Esh Border Construction has posted revenue of £275 million for 2015, and said its short-term focus was on consolidation and investment as issues over devolution and Brexit settled.
The company became part of the Esh Group, based in the north of England, following the 2014 acquisition of Border Construction.
Chief executive Brian Manning said the £8.6m in pre-tax profits was a “good performance” in spite of a 9.5 per cent slide, which he said was caused by market conditions, investments in business outside Scotland and costs ahead of a major IT project.
Mr Manning added: “The construction industry is showing signs of sustained recovery, and with our strong cash position, Esh Group is well positioned to lead the new opportunities with our partners once areas such as devolution and the EU are more settled.”
Among Scottish successes in the last year, Esh Border Construction was named the appointed contractor on Historic Scotland’s £8.9m Engine Shed project in Forthside, Stirling, which is due to open later this year.
The company was also awarded a number of multi-million public sector contracts in the last year, including a £2m contract to extend three local primary schools for West Lothian Council; the £1.9m construction of Midlothian Council’s Eastfield Farm Care Facility; and a £1.6m contract with NHS Borders to build their new Roxburgh Health Centre.
The company, which employs more than 100 people in Scotland, has also been appointed to Glasgow City Council’s framework for public sector construction works – with project values between £5m and £15m – the first of which is a project to repair parapets on the Balmuildy Bridge in the north of the city.
Regional managing director, Simon Phillips added: “We have been delighted with the performance of our of Livingston office since opening in March last year.
“Whilst consolidating our position, we are also actively looking to build the business and are targeting new opportunities across the central belt.”
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